Part 8 (1/2)

a Each element in a metaphoric dream is like a dot in a dot-painting that, once joined, becomes a story we are not likely to forget.

a It is the Holy Spirit who will witness with our hearts about the suitability and correctness of each element of the dream, and it is the Holy Spirit who will piece them together.

a From our experience, about 90 percent of dreams are about the dreamer.

a Dreams most often address the concerns that are weighing heavily upon the dreamer's heart.

a Asking ourselves where we are experiencing the emotions and actions similar to those portrayed in a dream is a good indicator of a dream's subject.

a Every dream has a purpose.

a G.o.d will often give dreams to those in ministry that are about the spiritual well-being of those for whom they are accountable.

a When we are experiencing difficulty interpreting a dream, we can write it down in sequence using dot points.

a When approaching G.o.d for an interpretation, we must be sure to put our hearts in neutral. The Bible warns about coming to G.o.d for guidance with idols (preconceived preferences) in our hearts.

a Dreams and visions show potential outcomesa”either good or bada”but the outcomes are not a fait accompli (a done deal).

a G.o.d shows problems, risks, and hazards so that we may take steps to put things right before they go awry.

a We are not to use a dream or vision interpretation as an excuse to act and live contrary to the Word of G.o.d.

a As dreams and visions const.i.tute prophetic ministry, their interpretation needs to be judged according to Scripture.

Making a Start a Recognize that G.o.d uses dreams as a vital means of communication.

a Write the dream out immediately on awakening.

a Record any feelings a.s.sociated with the dream.

a Ask G.o.d to help you both recall and interpret the dream.

a Put the dream into its correct sequence.

a Note any Scriptures that come to mind.

a Write out any ”instant” thoughts on the meaning of the elements of the dream.

a Look up the metaphor dictionary for individual element interpretations.

a Allow the Holy Spirit to piece the message together.

a Identify the subject of the dream by considering the feelings and action in the dream.

a Ask yourself where in your life you feel this way.

a Ask yourself, ”What are the current concerns of my heart?”

a Identify the theme or overall purpose of the dream by looking at it as a whole.

a Ask yourself whether the dream deals with past, present, or future? Or all three?

a If there are hidden elements not yet revealed, hold off on the interpretation.

a Once you have an interpretation, ”judge” the interpretation against the questions listed earlier.

a If you are able to positively identify the dream's message, move on it.

a If the dream is genuinely about another person, begin praying for them.

a Thank G.o.d for His care and concern for you.

Part II Dream Dictionaries 101 sample Dream and Vision Interpretations Actual dreams and visions with names changed for privacy 1. Flying Dream River, Flying, Daughter, Running, Waterfall, Tricks, Riverbank I was running along a riverbank. My youngest daughter was running ahead of me. I had trouble keeping up until I remembered that I could fly. I started flying over the river and overtook my daughter. It was amazing as I flew over a waterfall and continued down the river before I turned around to find her. I saw myself do a few tricks flying in front of a group of people on the bank.

Interpretation: The river is the river of the Holy Spirit (see River). Your youngest daughter represents your offspring or future running ahead of you (see Daughter). Flying over the river means moving in a supernatural gift of the Holy Spirit (see Flying). G.o.d is also warning you when you start to move more in the Spirit to watch out for self-glory (see Tricks). The waterfall suggests that you will be part of an outpouring of the Spirit of G.o.d (see Waterfall). The people you are doing tricks in front of are not yet in the river (see Bank).

2. River in Church Dream River, Church, Pulpit, Congregation, Stands I saw a river running diagonally through what was currently the church congregation's sitting area. It ran between the pulpit and the congregation. At the back of the church were huge standsa”like in a football stadium. I was concerned because I thought that the river separated the speaker from the audience.

Interpretation: The river is the flow of the Holy Spirit (see River). The fact that the river flowed in front of the speaker is a good thing. It means that the preacher is putting the Spirit before himself (see Pulpit and Congregation). When this is done, G.o.d will draw crowds of peoplea”the stands.

3. Letter Box Dream Letterbox, Mail, Abundance I was with a friend who I went to Bible College with some years earlier.

He and I were in the ministry together. We were at post-boxes collecting our mail. I opened my box, and it was literally jammed-packed with letters. There were so many letters that it took me some time to jimmy a couple of envelopes free before the rest could be emptied out of the box.

Interpretation: (The person who had this dream was no longer in a recognized ministry position.) This dream indicates that you will once again take up a ministry position as seen by the fact that you are with someone with ministry status. The many envelopes indicate invitations to speak (see Letters) and could also indicate that your ministry will be itinerant (see Mailbox). G.o.d is encouraging you with this prophetic-futuristic dream.

4. Plaques Dream Plaques, Screws, Codes I saw several plaques (s.h.i.+elds) on which were words. I knew instinctively that the screws that were to hold them in place were positioned in such a way as to decode the messages on the plaques. Some screws were in the corners, which indicated that the corner words were the message. Some screws were in the middle, which indicated that the words in the same position (i.e. in the middle) were the words to take note of.

Interpretation: The plaques are messages from G.o.d that you will share publicly (see Plaque). This dream is to show that the deposits of revelation (encoded words) you have received are from Him (see Codes and Screws). The instinct you speak of is guidance by the Spirit of G.o.d (an inward knowing). This is an encouragement dream showing that what you are receiving is from G.o.d. Keep doing what you are doing.

5. Hotel Foyer Dream Hotel Foyer/Reception I dreamt I was in a hotel foyer/reception area.

Interpretation: (The recipient of this dream was asked whether there was some uncertainty about their tenure in their current employment position. He confirmed that finances were tight at work.) With that information, it is indicative that G.o.d is showing that you are about to check out of your current work situation and/or check into something new (see Hotel Reception).

6. Coach, Baggage, and Margaret Dream Interstate Coach, Bus Stop, Baggage, Daughter, Taxi, Cost, Margaret I got off the interstate coach I was traveling on to talk to someone, and when I returned, the coach was gone. I walked (with others) toward the next stop because my bags were still on the coach. I realized that if I didn't get to the set-down point before the bus departed, my baggage would go on with the coach. I thought of phoning (via cell phone) Margaret (who was on the bus) to ask her to offload my bags at the next stop. My daughter was in there somewhere. I thought of getting a taxi, but I realized that would cost me.

Interpretation: The bus is the ministry in which you currently work (see Bus). The bus going on before you indicates that there is concern that you will leave your current position having not dealt with baggage from that position (see Bag). The baggage is most probably unforgiveness (feeling like they owe you). Margaret means ”pearl.” This is a reference to Jesus as the pearl of great price (see Pearl).

The reference to the taxi costing you means that if you don't deal with this baggage by taking it to Jesus, then it will cost you (you will not reach your G.o.d-given potential).

We recommend you approach whoever it is within your ministry with whom you have the unresolved issue and ask for forgiveness for harboring resentment and bitterness toward them. Your daughter's presence indicates that this concerns your future (see Daughter).

7. Laundry Anointing Dream Laundry, Modern House, Younger, Parents, Wardrobes, Clothes, Air-Freshener, Fragrance I was in the laundry of a modern house, which was well-appointed with good cupboards and doors. In the dream, I was a young girl (a daughter) and I could hear my parents saying nice things to each other through the wall (they were in the next room). There were wardrobes in the laundry, and I understood that they had clothes in them. There was also an air-freshening device in the laundry. I pressed it and a little sprayed in my face. I couldn't turn it off, so I opened the door. The scent went throughout the house into the air conditioner and filled the house with the fragrance.

Interpretation: The new house speaks of your new, transformed, and well-fitted house as a Christian (see House). The fact that you are in the laundry suggests that you have just undergone a cleansing process (see Laundry). This is reinforced by the clothes in the cupboards. These are what you put on when you are clean. The Scripture that comes to mind is Zechariah 3:4-5.

Seeing yourself as the daughter refers to you being younger, which is often a characteristic of the spirit person (see Younger). A daughter is also a daughter of G.o.d. Your parents saying nice things to each other in the next room is representative of you being in harmony and intimate with Christ in the secret place. The air-freshener is the anointing (see Air Freshener), and getting some on your face means your heart has been anointed (see Face). Once this has been touched, the fragrance of Christ fills your whole being (house).

This is a great dream. Be encouraged. The previous pruning (cleansing) you have recently undergone has brought you to this place.